Hold COMMAND to have more control...

I was talking to a co-worker about my blog, and we were trying to think of what key commands we use all the time in ProTools. I remembered one of my favorites. Maybe everyone already knows about it, but I think it's awesome enough to justify a blog entry...

In ProTools, if you hold the Command (apple) key while performing mouse functions it will increase your control over whatever you're adjusting. Here are a few examples that I use all the time.

1. Adjusting faders, sends, and pans
If you hold command, then click on a fader or a pan knob you'll find that you have to move the mouse a lot further to make adjustments. This equals more control over the parameter you're changing. I use this a lot when I'm automating without a control surface. I switch to whatever automation mode I want to use, then command+click the thing I'm automating and bam! More control!


2. Adjusting automation in the edit window
Depending on what height you like for your tracks in the edit window, sometimes adjusting automation here can be frustrating. Let's say you want to bump up the overhead mics for the bridge section. You switch over to your edit window, change your view to see volume automation, make your selection and start to drag up the volume. It jumps up way too quick (10dB might be too much). Well, hold command before you click to adjust the volume. More control!



3. Adjusting track height
It used to be that you were stuck with adjusting the track height via the popup menu in the edit window. Then they made it so you could click on the bottom of the track (near the track name in the edit window) and drag the track to the height you want, although still it still "clicks" to the preset ones (micro, mini, small... etc.). Hold command while you're dragging, and suddenly your track height is totally controllable. More control!

4. Grid mode freedom
If you work in Grid mode at all you know the frustration of only being able to put your cursor on the grid. Holding the command key will give you freedom to put your cursor wherever you want WITHOUT having to go change to Slip mode all the time. More control!

In conclusion, more control is often better. Sometimes you want to be more precise with panning or whatever. Command key is your friend. Use it. I'm sure you can find new ways that it can give you more control. Please share them via a comment here.